The Children Beyond Chernobyl, Part 7/7

RTE's 2008 powerful and beautifully filmed documentary "Children Beyond Chernobyl" picks up where the Academy Award winning "Chernobyl Heart" left off. The film examines the work of Chernobyl Children's Project International (CCPI) and uses moving, intimate stories to describe how the charity and its volunteers are making a difference in Chernobyl affected regions of Belarus.

This segment is the final of 7.

More information:
http://chernobyl.typepad.com
http://www.youtube.com/ChernobylChildren
http://www.twitter.com/Chernobyl

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• chernobyl
• CCPI

[nivarus]

God Bless You. I am so thankful for Ireland, and thanks to the people who give up the time. (and this documentary). I dont know how you guys love unconditionally. Honestly, I would probably ignore the whole thing. But now, you've inspired me and many others likely. Thank you.

But my question i have is why you concentrate on belarus, rather than ukraine. ukraine too, has these problems, and i'v even been to an orphanage there. so why does ireland choose belarus?

[ChernobylChildren]

Hi -- I wanted to let you know that we do quite a bit of work in Ukraine -- we send a volunteer medical teams to Kharkiv, Odessa, and Kyiv to perform operations on children with genetic heart disease. Our investment in the children of Ukraine has been quite significant, we have made two surgical visits so far this year, and two more to go, and as long as we continue to get support we will continue our program there into 2010.

[sprinklefriend]

why don't the host families adopt the kids? like the two girls call the guy papa, why can't he adopt them? just wondering, as most hosting programs in the u.s. have the adoption option...

[ChernobylChildren]

Many of the host families would dearly love to adopt these children. However, the government of Belarus does not permit foreign adoptions. We are looking for an appropriate and loving foster family inside of Belarus to care for these girls after they have recovered from their treatments, so that they do not have to return to an orphanage. Kathy, CCPI

[ChernobylChildren]

Thanks for your good thoughts. You will probably be heartened to know, that shortly after this doc aired on television, CCPI was able to raise enough money to purchase an anesthesia machine.

[celticlofts]

Well what's keeping him from doing it now?

[Kjerstimarieholm]

These children are absolutly beautiful. I hope that their future will be bright and full of dreams. It is truely amazing to see what a huge positive difference these irish people make. Every single life changed, is a step towards a better future for Belarus and all it's inhabitants. Love from Norway

[solitudealwaysam1]

I would give my house, my car, my everything, just to go out there and help, and give my whole heart, and all the love I can give to you all! I would give anything!! My heart is soo broken, and healed in many places, because I want the world to know, to help these beautiful angels!! OH MY GOODNESS, my dream was to help people as a child, THIS WOULD BE THE ULTIMATE DREAM!! GLADLY GIVE UP EVERYTHING, TO BE WITH YOU ALL!! I have been crying for three hours, GOD BLESS YOU ALL I LOVE YOU!!!

[MzKickz]

Videos like this show you how amazing people can be and the juxtaposition of how selfish we can be in Western countries. Amazing people of Ireland and amazing children. So ridiculous foreign families cannot adopt - any explanation from the Government on why this is? I'd love to help in some way financially or physically if I can.

[privatear2001]

I will add that someone on here commented that "it could have been us that this happened to" and thats very true. Its such a great thing these volunteers are doing...

[privatear2001]

This was a wonderful documentary showing the absolute giving nature of the Irish. I am from Newfoundland myself and most of our ancestors came from Ireland. Everybody looks out for each other in the tiny town I come from up there. I often wondered where Newfoundlanders got their kind spirit from and now I see it alive and well back in "the old country". Thank you for this. What ever happened to Olga and Christina??? I would very much like to know as they stole my heart too.

[DMarie0824]

@ChernobylChildren Thank God. That's all I have to say. Thank God and the people who have devoted their time and energy to these angelic, precious children. It breaks my heart. I pray for them. For peace, love, and joy.

[Arminpars2]

For all Irish sisters and brothers who are behind this organization, May God continue giving you His Blessings. You are doing a great job. Keep it up.. Greetings from an Iranian.

[marcobalduzzo]

Thank u guys... for everything...

[Atlswan]

I would like to know what became of Krystina and Olga. Did they get their operations? Are they in a good foster home since Belarus won't allow them to be adopted? Does anyone know? I can't seem to find anything since their visit to Ireland in 2008.

[andiedandieland]

I cried so much while watching this. God bless all who help these innocent children! My prayers are with all of you. and im sooooo glad to hear that the anesthesia machine was purchased!